The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-08-26
A Peculiar Malady.
A FAMILY AFFLICTED WITH UNcoNTRoLL-
ABLE MERRIMENT.


afliiction comes from New Jersey. 1t
seems rather inconsistant to class mer-
riment az disease, but in this case its
uncomfortable nature makes it, if not a
disease, most annoying malady. The
family thus afflicted reside in large,
substantial house not far from the
Delaware river, in Hunterdon county.
The farmer and sons are prosperous
and well-to-do. The entire family are
chronic laughers, having an affection
of the mouth and throat that compels
them to give vent to apparent merri.
ment at stated intervals.
The malady first appeared in the
father about dozen years ago. He
was usually very quiet man, enjoying
fun, but manifested his enjoyment with
out much noise. He was seated at the
dinner table one day in the spring Of
the year, eating steadily and not en-
gaging in any of the conversation
which the other members of the fam
lily were carrying on. Suddenly, with
out any cause, he burst into loud fit
of laughter, 80 extremely different
from his accustomed laugh that all
were attracted by it at once. When
asked what was the reason for his sud
den outburst he made no reply, but
continued his merriment Some Of the
boys thought he had Mysteries and
pounded him on the back but it did
no good. After a few moments he
made motions for pencil and paper and
wrote that he was unable to control his
risibles and asked them to send for a
doctor. The rural physician came, but
could give no remedy that stopped the
laughing. Peal after peal of what
sounded like the heartiest kind of fun
came from him, and nothing would
prevail to prevent it. The doctor fin
ally came to the conclusion that he was
the victim of a nervous attack, and,
leaving nervine, departed.
The father continued laughing until
about sundown when he suddenly stop
ped and fell on the floor, completely
Frustrated. He soon grew better, how
ever, ate hearty supper and spent the
evening much as usual. No signs Of
the return of the trouble appearing, he
went to bed and was soon fast asleep
Along about two o'clock, however, hi
wife was awakened by his laughter
and the same symptoms as of the day
before manifested themselves. HI
kept it up until seven o'clock, laughing
loud and strong AT seven o'clock th'
noise suddenly ceased and did not re
turn again until dinner time. Thus i
continued recurring each day shortl,
after noon and in the night about two
o'clock, and has ever since.
The trouble was very regular in it
coming and going, and only occasion
ally broke forth at unlooked-for sea
sons. Once the old man was taken il
church, Just when the minister was ex
horting his hearers in the most solem
strains, and spoiled the effect of tn
discourse, besides disturbing the equi
hbrium of the clergyman. Anothe
time he was found by one of his neigh
bors along the road, lying beneath
bag of flour, laughing at terrific rate
He had been taken while driving HON
from the mill, and the suddenness {
the sounds frightened the horse, eau
ing it to run away and dump the ma
and part of his load out in the roat
For eighteen months the father ws
the only one of the household Athlete
with the malady. Several of them ha
complained from time to time of an il
clination to join the father in the laugl
but none of them did so until nearl
two years after he was taken, whe
Susie, the youngest child, suddenl
burst into similar fit during one {
her fathers attacks. From that tin
on she has laughted at about the san
hour that her father does. One by OIL
the remaining members fell victims
this strange complaint until two yea
ago there was but one left free, and tn
was Charles, the elder son. His lor
exemption led him to believe he wouI
escape the malady. But he was mi
taken, and it is said that he had b
first attack while proposing for Il
hand of girl at Wilkesbarre.
frightened was the maiden that 81
ran from the room, and it was weeks b
fore the explanation could induce h
to see him again. She is now one
.. the family, and escaping the malad
never minds the hideous chorus
laughter which twice a day resoun
through the house.
Their noticeable misfortune has re
) dered them very sensitive and they W
r not travel where they will be subject
to public scrutiny and remark. Tn
/, go to church or the store in the villa
Z close by, and attend social gatheril
occasionally in the neighborhood in t
evening, but only among life-lo
" friends. People within radius of
few miles are 80 accustomed to
( thing that they never mind it or mt
r tion it. Consequently very few peoI
: outside the immediate vicinity, and
I physicians who have attended the
r are cognizant of the circumstances.
n Curious stories are told of the tr,
elers who went that way. Several ye'
+" ago two young men came from
O interior of the State to attend a pa
k at Eastou. 1t was warm night a
d they did not start until late. I'll
Il drove past the house of the laughi
family, soon after the regular nigh
n attack had begun. The windows W
still open, as it was early summer, a
+ every sound could be clearly hea
n AS the young men approached, Il
n heard the most unearthly noise th
10 ears had ever received. 1t seemed |
pandemonium, and the youths felt 8
that they had struck the entrance
r. sheol.
i'd The horse took fright and nearly
re away with them. Coming to the c
IT. clusion that at the least, the place
haunted, they hurried home. and
next morning spread the news. j
ties were formed to investigate
. matter, but none of them solved
-" subject until informed by man in
~ village near at hand as to the nal
aS 's of the case. They were urged to
~ main reticent about the matter
" W have done 30,
In The years of incessant laughter |